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Ascension |
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Contents: Volume 2 The Ascension of the Lord 5/17/2026
1. -- Lanie LeBlanc OP - <lanie@leblanc.one>2. -- Chuck Hilliard OP - <Chuck@PreacherExchage.com> 3. --
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****************************************************** The first reading for the Ascension comes from the Acts of the Apostles and takes us back to the beginning of when the eleven Apostles were transformed from doubters to doers. The story recalls that they had seen and interacted with the Risen Christ, yet they still asked if right then was the time for the military change they expected to take place. Jesus instead responds that knowing about the timing of things comes under the authority of the Father. He added that they were to stay in Jerusalem until they received the gift of the Holy Spirit… and then Jesus silently ascends into the clouds!!
I imagine that we can all relate to feeling as clueless, confused, and uncertain about what Jesus wants us to do in far less stunning circumstances. Thankfully for us, these Apostles were graced with two men to tell them basically just to do something that Jesus told them to do and also that the Holy Spirit would help each of them do it. Because of the guidance of the Holy Spirit for these very human eleven and the many other disciples of Jesus through the ages, we, too, know and follow Jesus.
We also read/hear a super encouraging selection this day from the Letter to the Ephesians. We are reminded that God selected the Risen Jesus to be in charge of all and to have the final word in all. “All” means everything including our hesitancy, efforts, worries, failures, successes, and yes, the timing of things in whatever our ministry and everyday lives entail.
But there is more…. in the Gospel story from Matthew, Jesus commissioned and promises to accompany the Apostles (and us, too) until the end of the age, to continue this work. In this particular time in history, uncertainty (subtly or strongly) runs through almost every part of our daily lives in ways people could never have imagined. In my opinion, this certainty spoken by Jesus ranks very high in the great list of Gifts we each have at our disposal.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t need two men or a popular logo/marketing ploy to tell me to “just do it” instead of continuing to gaze upward to the heavens. We/ I need to gaze symbolically inward, where these Gifts already dwell, and pray for the nudge to (re)start somewhere, anywhere because there is great need all around us… if we just look and see with the accompanying eyes of Jesus. Such work is the legacy of Jesus, our personal legacy… and that of any authentic Christian, not one who speaks and acts as a self-proclaimed answer.
Blessings, Dr. Lanie LeBlanc OP Southern Dominican Laity
****************************************************** From today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles:
While meeting with the apostles, Jesus enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you heard me speak.”
Reflection:
Jesus has gifted us with the same powerful Spirit that animated and sustained him, not only through his preaching and healing ministry, but through his long suffering and death. Thanks to the Spirit, we are called and empowered to be modern witnesses to the living Christ, who is reaching out in a new age to do through us, what he did in his lifetime–preach the gospel, heal the sick and bring people back to God.
So, we ask ourselves:
· What gifts has God given me to use in the service of Jesus’ gospel? · How am I exercising these gifts now?
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:
Chuck Hilliard OP - <Chuck@PreacherExchage.com> Webmaster - https://PreacherExchange.com
****************************************************** ****************************************************** 4. ****************************************************** ****************************************************** 5. ****************************************************** Volume 2 is for you. These reflections follow the Liturgical Calendar and appear here about mid week each week. They are written by various guest authors. If you would like to submit a reflection of your own, then click here to send an email request to post to the Webmaster. Deadline is Monday morning of each week for the upcoming Sunday.
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A service of The Order of Preachers,
The Dominicans. (form revised 10/13/2025) |
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